Multi-plane translating cartridge handling system

Abstract

A cartridge handling system for storing and accessing at least one data cartridge may comprise a frame having a first cartridge access side and a second cartridge access side. A guide member associated with the frame includes a first section located adjacent the first cartridge access side of the frame and a second section located adjacent the second cartridge access side of the frame. The first and second guide sections of the guide member are connected together so that the guide member comprises a substantially continuous member. A cartridge access device having a cartridge access end engages the guide member so that the cartridge access end is adjacent the first cartridge access side when the cartridge access device is located on the first section of the guide member and so that the cartridge access end is adjacent the second cartridge access side when the cartridge access device is located on the second section of the guide member. An actuator system operatively associated with the cartridge access device moves the cartridge access device along the guide member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cartridge handling system for storing and accessing at least one data cartridge, comprising: a frame having a first cartridge access side located adjacent a first plane, a second cartridge access side located adjacent a second plane, and a third cartridge access side located adjacent a third plane, wherein at least two of said first plane, said second plane, and said third plane are non-parallel;   a guide member associated with said frame, said guide member comprising a first section located adjacent the first cartridge access side of said frame, a second section located adjacent the second cartridge access side of said frame, and a third section located adjacent the third cartridge access side of said frame, the first, second, and third sections of said guide member being connected so that said guide member comprises a substantially continuous member and so that the first and third sections of said guide member are located in spaced-apart relation and wherein the second section of said guide member is oriented substantially transverse to the first and third sections so that said guide member comprises a substantially U-shaped member;   a cartridge access device having a cartridge access end, said cartridge access device engaging said guide member so that the cartridge access end is adjacent the first cartridge access side when said cartridge access device is located on the first section of said guide member and so that the cartridge access end is adjacent the second cartridge access side when said cartridge access device is located on the second section of said guide member;   a substantially continuous gear rack having a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein the first section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the first section of said guide member, the second section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the second section of said guide member, and the third section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the third section of said guide member;   a pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device, said pinion gear engaging said gear rack; and   a motor operatively connected to said pinion gear for rotating said pinion gear to cause said cartridge access device to move along said guide member.   
     
     
       2. A cartridge handling system for storing and accessing at least one data cartridge, comprising: a frame having a first cartridge access side located adjacent a first plane, a second cartridge access side located adjacent a second plane, and a third cartridge access side located adjacent a third plane, wherein the first and third cartridge access sides of said frame are oriented in parallel, spaced-apart relation and wherein the second cartridge access side of said frame is oriented substantially transverse to the first and third cartridge access sides so that the first, second, and third cartridge access sides define a U-shaped configuration;   a guide member associated with said frame, said guide member comprising a first section located adjacent the first cartridge access side of said frame, a second section located adjacent the second cartridge access side of said frame, and a third section located adjacent the third cartridge access side, said second section connecting the first and third sections so that said guide member comprises a substantially continuous member;   a cartridge access device having a cartridge access end, said cartridge access device engaging said guide member so that the cartridge access end is adjacent the first cartridge access side when said cartridge access device is located on the first section of said guide member and is adjacent the second cartridge access side when said cartridge access device is located on the second section of said guide member and is adjacent the third cartridge access side when said cartridge access device is located on the third section of said guide member;   a substantially continuous gear rack having a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein the first section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the first section of said guide member, the second section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the second section of said guide member, and the third section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the third section of said guide member;   a pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device, said pinion gear engaging said gear rack; and   a motor operatively connected to said pinion gear for rotating said pinion gear to cause said cartridge access device to move along said guide member.   
     
     
       3. The cartridge handling system of claim 2, wherein said frame comprises a lower plate and an upper plate positioned in parallel, spaced-apart relation to said lower plate and wherein said guide member comprises a lower U-shaped guide member associated with said lower plate and an upper U-shaped guide member associated with said upper plate. 
     
     
       4. The cartridge handling system of claim 3, wherein said substantially continuous gear rack comprises a lower U-shaped gear rack associated with said lower plate and an upper U-shaped gear rack associated with said upper plate. 
     
     
       5. The cartridge handling system of claim 4, wherein said cartridge access device includes a lower pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device for engaging the lower U-shaped gear rack and an upper pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device for engaging the upper U-shaped gear rack, said upper and lower pinion gears being connected so that they rotate together to move said cartridge access device along said guide member. 
     
     
       6. The cartridge handling system of claim 5, wherein said cartridge access device includes a lower bearing for engaging the lower U-shaped guide member and an upper bearing for engaging the upper U-shaped guide member. 
     
     
       7. The cartridge handling system of claim 6, wherein said lower plate includes a U-shaped channel section and wherein said upper plate includes a U-shaped channel section, the U-shaped channel sections in the lower and upper plates comprising the lower and upper U-shaped guide members, respectively. 
     
     
       8. A data storage system, comprising: a frame having a first cartridge access side located adjacent a first plane, a second cartridge access side located adjacent a second plane, and a third cartridge access side located adjacent a third plane, wherein the first and third cartridge access sides of said frame are located in spaced-apart relation and wherein the second cartridge access side of said frame is oriented substantially transverse to the first and third cartridge access sides so that the first, second, and third cartridge access sides define a U-shaped configuration;   a first cartridge storage rack positioned adjacent the first cartridge access side of said frame, said first cartridge storage rack being adapted to hold at least one data cartridge;   a cartridge read/write device positioned adjacent the second cartridge access side of said frame;   a guide member associated with said frame, said guide member comprising a first section located adjacent the first cartridge access side of said frame, a second section located adjacent the second cartridge access side of said frame, and a third section located adjacent the third access side of said frame, the first, second, and third sections of said guide member being connected so that said guide member comprises a substantially continuous member;   a cartridge access device having a cartridge access end, said cartridge access device engaging said guide member so that the cartridge access end faces said first cartridge storage rack when said cartridge access device is located on the first section of said guide member and faces said cartridge read/write device when said cartridge access device is located on the second section of said guide member;   a substantially continuous gear rack having a first section, a second section, and a third section, wherein the first section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the first section of said guide member, the second section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the second section of said guide member, and the third section of said gear rack is positioned adjacent the third section of said guide member;   a pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device, said pinion gear engaging said gear rack; and   a motor operatively connected to said pinion gear for rotating said pinion gear to cause said cartridge access device to move along said guide member.   
     
     
       9. The data storage system of claim 8, wherein said frame comprises a lower plate and a upper plate positioned in parallel, spaced-apart relation to said lower plate and wherein said guide member comprises a lower U-shaped guide member associated with said lower plate and an upper U-shaped guide member associated with said upper plate. 
     
     
       10. The data storage system of claim 9, wherein said substantially continuous gear rack comprises a lower U-shaped gear rack associated with said lower plate and an upper U-shaped gear rack associated with said upper plate. 
     
     
       11. The data storage system of claim 10, wherein said cartridge access device includes a lower pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device for engaging the lower U-shaped gear rack and an upper pinion gear mounted for rotation on said cartridge access device for engaging the upper U-shaped gear rack, said upper and lower pinion gears being connected so that they rotate together to move said cartridge access device along said guide member. 
     
     
       12. The data storage system of claim 11, wherein said cartridge access device includes a lower bearing for engaging the lower U-shaped guide member and an upper bearing for engaging the upper U-shaped guide member. 
     
     
       13. The data storage system of claim 12, wherein said lower plate includes a U-shaped channel section and wherein said upper plate includes a U-shaped channel section, the U-shaped channel sections in the lower and upper plates comprising the lower and upper U-shaped guide members, respectively.